Silver Legends.

Thank you TardisBlue18 for the wonderful cover base.

~Prologue~

A low cry pierced the overwhelming silence in the forest as the deer fell onto its side. The arrow in its neck was finished with the feather of a black pheonix, threatening to ignite at any moment despite the fact that it was separated from the original bird.

The girl with ebony hair trained her shining silver eyes on the beast, a slight crinkle at the corner of her eyes as her lips turned up slightly. She approached the fallen doe, silvery-blue cloak trailing behind her. After ensuring that the animal was dead she allowed a full grin to dance across her features. Her black bow was once again placed on her back as she began the task of dragging the animal towards her home. She was barely able to contain her excitement; her father would be so proud that her first hunt alone was a success.

By the time she arrived at her house the girl was panting heavily. Sweat trailed from her forehead to her neck, a sour scent filling her nose. Using the back of her hand to wipe it away she heard her eldest brother, Cairn, calling to her.

"Kanika!" The boy with dark brown hair and pale green eyes smiled as he saw his sister. "How long did it take you to find an animal you could actually kill?" He teased, a knowing look in his eyes about Kanika's impatience.

Kanika childishly stuck out her tongue to her brother. "Not even an hour, show off. Where's dad?" Cairn made sure the two locked gazes before replying.

"Inside, I think. Kanika, something's weird about him lately." The girl saw a flash of concern cross his gaze. "Be careful from now on, okay?"

A small chuckle escaped Kanika. "Me? He's the one acting strange." While Kanika hadn't noticed anything strange, she had learned never to doubt her brother. Often he was correct about events that no one other than soothsayers would have predicted.

"Not about him. It's just..." His pale gaze dropped to the ground before he continued in a whisper. "Something's coming. Something that could tear our family apart." Kanika's breath caught in her throat as if she had just been threatened by a knife.

"What?" She dumbly questioned. As much as she wanted answers, there was no more time for conversation between the two siblings.

Kanika's pointed ears twitched at the sound of small feet approaching. "Kanny!" The small blonde girl eagerly sprinted into Kanika's awaiting arms. Her bright green eyes were shining with happiness. "I'm glad you're back, Kanny." Kanika watched the girl with apprehension as she continued. "I was afraid you would be mauled to death and wouldn't come back. I don't want you to leave." Kanika almost choked at her words. Mauled?

Still, Kanika chuckled softly at how easily the child created the worst scenarios possible. "I'd never leave you, Kyra. I love you too much for that and you know it." She talked the girl's nose as she spoke. Kyra sniffed and nodded.

"Daddy was looking for you. He's in the kitchen." Kanika nodded in thanks as she stepped away from her sister.

"Alright, help Cairn get this deer in the shed." Kanika gestured to the animal behind her as she spoke. The child nodded and began the sisyphean task. "Thanks, Kyra." As she ruffled the girl's hair Kanika turned to Cairn. "We need to talk later. Don't think you can get out of it." Cairn rolled his eyes and agreed before Kanika turned to swiftly enter the house.

The wooden boards creaks lightly under her quick feet. Her father sat in the dining room, intently studying a book in front of him. his silver eyes seemed lost in thought, as if he wasn't fully present.

"Father?" His gaze snapped to attention at her voice.

"The hunt?" He questioned as Kanika watched the black haired elf with a careful gaze. The two black streaks below his eyes reminded her again of how she was a stain on his bloodline. The matching lines on his wrists were barely visible under the sleeves of his cloak.

"Doe. Kyra said you needed to speak with me."

He nodded, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Tomorrow I leave. There is... A threat nearby. Cairn is to be traveling with me. You are to watch Kyra while we are away." Kanika nodded sharply. Her mother world multiple jobs in the village that was close to their house in the forest, so she wouldn't be present to care for the youngest sibling.

However, Kanika realized how desperately she wanted to join them; to leave the confinement of their one story cabin. "Since mom isn't workingtomorrow, can I go with you two?" Kanika's eyes sparkled with a sliver of hope.

"No, we may be gone longer than one day, and it is far too dangerous." Once again, her father told her she wouldn't be able to handle herself. She had to face the world eventually.

Kanika raised an eyebrow as her temper flared. "What is so dangerous? I can handle myself around enemies, you know." She argued, copying his pose across the table.

"I can't reveal that for your own safety. Hopefully you will understand one day why all of these secrets are kept from you." A sudden rage filled the girl.

She slammed her hands into the table, no doubt leaving dents, as she stood, shoving her chair back with the force. For years she had been sheltered in this exact manner, and that comment was enough to set her off. After all, this had been happening since her elder brother, Caelum, died. "Why can't you tell me? Afraid I'm going to get hurt? Just because I'm a girl and would rather focus on hunting and fighting rather than cooking and cleaning makes me weak?" She ran a hand through her hair while her father didn't even flinch at the outburst.

"Kanika, you know that that isn't true."

"Oh, no, maybe you don't think I'm weak, but we all know you still hold me responsible for the death of your favorite child." His eyes briefly flashed with anger before his face became a mask of unreadable features once again. This only fueled Kanika's actions. "Well, guess what. I wouldn't change I single thing I did that day. Not ever."

"Kanikasaela!" She froze upon hearing her full name.

This is where, if she had any kind of common sense, Kanika would have quieted. But when were young girls ever known for their common sense? "What? Angry? I suppose this is where I should apologize 'like a good little girl'. Not going to happen. We both know how much you preferred that damn full blooded elf over us half breed mutts. A shame that such pure blood had to be spilt to save the life of a freak." Her eyes widened as her hand flew to her cheek. A red hand print was slowly forming beneath her own hand as her eyes filled with tears. Her eyes became a dull gray, almost black. Instantly, every bit of rage vanished from her father, the man slowly extending a hand towards her from where he had moved to stand before her. Kanika ran from the room, her father calling her name behind her, but making no move to go after her.

A/N:: Picture of Kyra to the side.